Several months ago, residents in the Kingsway and Hoole area were shocked to find a bench in Lime Wood Fields had been burned to the ground.

The bench had been positioned to overlook the Greenway and included a plaque to remember Audrey Hodgkinson, who helped campaign for the former railway line to be converted into a shared use cycle and walking path which stretches from Mickle Trafford to Connors Quay.

Ann Charlton, Chair of the local resident’s association, KANRA, explained: “We woke to find news of the fire and couldn’t believe that someone would set a fire under the bench – they clearly intended to cause the maximum damage. I was able to rescue Audrey’s plaque and the councillors arranged for the parts to be removed.”

Ann posted the news on the local Facebook page and was contacted by Mark Sollars, a local handyman and business owner who runs ‘Mark’s property services’. Mark also designs lamps under the name ‘Quirky Lights’, but offered to turn his hand to bench repairs.

Mark said: “When I saw on Facebook what had happened, I just wanted to step up and do something about it. I contacted Ann and offered my support!”

Councillor Richard Beacham, who helped get the bench for Audrey in the first instance, said: “I was able to arrange for the remaining metal parts of the bench to get to Mark. When he called to say I could come and see what he had done, I couldn’t believe it.  I call it the Phoenix Bench because it has literally risen from the ashes.  Mark has remade it in metal and painted it a beautiful green, with gold around the edges. Nobody will be able to set it on fire again.

“On behalf of the whole community, I want to thank Mark for his work on this bench. His craftmanship represents the very best of our community – righting wrongs, standing united against anti-social behaviour and restoring respect for people who have served the community and have been remembered with a plaque.”

The plaque has been repositioned on the bench, which is now in place in the park for people to use.